Overview:Satellite images are often
processed to give the appearance of color-infrared film. In this type of film
green vegetation reflects red, so forests and agricultural areas appear red. It
is a dramatic way to see quickly where the majority of a population is, or to
compare two different areas to see which has more vegetation (such as forest vs.
desert). The activities below demonstrate some ways to interpret satellite image
data.

Procedure:1. Using the satellite image
of southeastern Idaho and a piece of tracing paper, trace or draw as many of
the major features as you can. Specifically identify and label the following
features (some are already labeled to give you a frame of reference):

American
Falls Reservoir
Bannock Range
Big Lost River Valley
Big Southern Butte
Burley area
Craters of the Moon
Hell's Half Acre
Idaho Falls area
Lake Walcott
Lost River Range
Pocatello/Chubbuck area
Portneuf River
Snake River

2. Compare the various lava flows on the plain. There are approximately four
large ones: Craters of the Moon, Hell's Half Acre, Cerro Grande and Wapi. Can
you see a difference in their color? Why is there a difference or what would
cause the difference?
3. Where does the majority of the vegetation (red) appear in the image? What
is the main cause for this distribution?
4. Compare the mountain ranges to the north of the Snake River Plain to the
mountain ranges to the south. What is apparently different about them as far
as vegetation is concerned? If there is a difference between the north and south
ranges, give a possible reason why.
5. Why is there so little out on the Snake River Plain?
6. Where do the farms that are located further out on the Snake River Plain
get the water that they need to grow crops?
7. At the northeast end of the American Falls Reservoir there is a patch of
white. What is it? Based on your interpretation of the white patch and distribution
of vegetation, during which season of the year do you think that this image
was created?

Handouts/Activity links:These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.satellite image